The Dastin mansion was silent, the kind of silence that pressed on the walls and made every sound feel too loud. The dining hall gleamed with sterile perfection , marble floors, towering windows, a chandelier that never swayed.
Lucien stood beside his stepmother, hands clasped behind his back, eyes locked on a crack in the floor. Across from them, his father sat with a stiff posture, his expression cold and blank, Hunter beside him, his expression calm and unreadable.
Another family meeting.
Or as Lucien always called it ,"the spewing of nonsense things."
Traditions. That's what his father loved most. Traditions, appearances, and rules carved from old dust. Omegas stood. Alphas sat. Always. It was an act of showing dominance , to show which one were more powerful ,
He could feel his legs ache from standing, but he didn't move. He wouldn't give his father that satisfaction.
"Now," his father began, voice smooth but sharp, "the Dastin name has stood for generations. We are not commoners; we are leaders. Every action reflects our legacy. Hunter" he turned with a faint nod, "—as the next successor, it is your duty to carry that weight."
Lucien's gaze drifted, he almost yawned . He'd heard this speech a hundred times. The tone never changed. Neither did the ending. Hunter was praised. Lucien was a mistake politely tolerated.
He stifled a yawn and looked toward the clock. Time crawled.
But then his father's voice cut through the room like glass.
"Lucien."
Lucien froze. "Yes, Father?"
"What happened to your last driver?"
The question landed like a stone in his chest. His father's tone wasn't curious , it was cold, accusing.
Lucien hesitated. "We... we broke up."
His father's brow furrowed, voice dropping an octave. "And that affects your partnership how, exactly?"
Lucien's stomach turned. He wanted to lie, to say something neat and professional. But the truth stung too much. The image of Ethan , his soft smile, his betrayal , flickered through his mind. His fists clenched at his sides.
"I see," his father said flatly, unimpressed. "You let your personal weakness interfere with family obligations. Again."
Before Lucien could reply, Hunter spoke up, voice steady. "we already sorted out that issue out, I'll take his place. I'll be Lucien's driver."
Lucien's head snapped toward him, stunned.
His father smiled faintly , the kind of smile that never reached his eyes. "Of course you will. As expected from you, Hunter. Always reliable. Always responsible. You've sacrificed much for this family."
Lucien's chest tightened. Sacrificed? Hunter hadn't sacrificed anything , he took everything.
"Father-" Lucien started, anger bubbling up, "I don't need him to—"
"Enough." His father's tone sliced through the air. "We are done here. Hunter, you have my gratitude. Your efforts ensure this family remains respectable. Unlike some."
Lucien's breath hitched. The dismissal, the indifference , it all felt too familiar. He wanted to shout, to demand recognition, but the words burned in his throat.
The meeting ended. His stepmother left quietly, Hunter following behind. But Lucien stayed.
He stared at his father , the man who had shaped his whole existence and still treated him like an outsider. "Why?" Lucien asked softly, voice trembling. "Why do you treat me like I don't belong? I'm your son. Your real son."
His father didn't even look up from his papers. "Go to your room, Lucien."
"Stop ignoring me!" Lucien's voice rose, shaking. "I've done everything you ever wanted. I excelled in school. I built everything you asked for. I've worked harder than anyone in this damn house , and for what?" his voice cracked , he looked at his father 'please see me father', but the words got stuck in his throat
Finally, his father looked up, eyes cold and unyielding. "And yet none of your accomplishments matter."
Lucien blinked. "What?"
"Maybe the only mistake I ever made," his father said, his voice sharp as a blade, "was making an omega."
For a moment, the world stopped moving. Lucien's vision blurred. The chandelier lights refracted into a thousand shards. His chest hurt ,physically hurt , as the words sank in.
He forced a small laugh, but it cracked mid-breath.
"I see," he whispered. "Guess that makes me the black sheep, then."
His father barely glanced up. "Hunter will take your place at the Reagents. With him there, I have no doubt he'll crush the Grey family. You should be proud, at least he's doing something useful with the Dastin name."
Lucien wiped the tear that slipped down his cheek and straightened up. "Proud, " he repeated softly. "Right."
He turned to leave, gripping the door handle , but his father's voice stopped him again.
"Oh, and Lucien," he said casually, "I'm arranging a marriage for you soon. It's difficult, of course. Who would want a scentless omega? But I'm sure an older alpha won't mind."
Lucien's fingers tightened around the handle. The sound of the door slamming echoed through the hall like thunder.
Outside, Hunter stood waiting, hands shoved into his pockets. "Hey, chiqui—"
Lucien's bitter laugh cut him off. "What? You satisfied now?" he snapped, eyes blazing. "Not only did you take my place ,you took the only thing that mattered to me!" his voice rose "winning the reagents was a chance for my father to finally recognize me ...... but you also took it"
"Lucien, calm down—"
Lucien slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me, you filth." His voice broke, but the fury stayed. He pushed past him, footsteps echoing down the hall.
Hunter stood frozen, guilt flickering across his face, but said nothing.
Lucien stormed into his room and slammed the door shut. The second it clicked, the strength drained out of him. He fell to the floor, pressing his palms against his face, his chest heaving as tears finally came.
He didn't even realize he was sobbing until his phone slipped from his shaking hands. He grabbed it and pressed a number he knew by heart.
"Mason…" His voice cracked. "Can I come over?"
On the other end, Mason's voice was groggy, lazy , the sound of sheets rustling in the background. "Hmm? Why?"
"I just— I just need to get away from here for a while."
There was a pause. Mason stared at the alpha who had just stepped into his room, towel slung low around his hips. He hesitated.
"I'm not home," Mason lied. "Went to my parents' place."
"Oh," Lucien whispered. "Right. Sorry."
"Lucien, I—"
But before Mason could finish, he hung up.
For a long moment, Lucien sat in the quiet, staring at his darkened phone screen. He wanted to scream, to throw it across the room, but all he could do was let the tears fall silently.
He pressed his forehead against his knees, trying to breathe, trying to forget ,but the words replayed like a curse.
Maybe the only mistake I made was making an omega.
Across town, the hospital room was bright and sterile. Ethan stood by the bedside, carefully slicing peaches for Monica. The sweet smell filled the air, masking the faint scent of antiseptic.
"You should really take better care of yourself," Monica smiled at him, "look i gained more than you" she chuckled
"I'm trying," Ethan said softly, setting the bowl beside her. He stayed for a few more minutes, making sure she was comfortable before leaving.
He looked at Monica as she ate the peaches, a small smile forming in his face , the doctors said that she was improving fine and soon she will be discharged
Outside, the sun was dipping low. He took a cab home in silence, lost in thought.
When he reached his apartment, he stepped out of the car and froze.
Right there, curled up by his front door, was Lucien. His hair was a mess, his eyes red and swollen, his shoulders trembling.
Ethan's heart stopped.
"Lucien," he whispered.
Lucien didn't move. He just sat there ,broken, silent, and utterly alone